Electronic device and method of adjusting user interface thereof

ABSTRACT

An electronic device includes a control unit, an environment sensor unit configured to detect working environment of the electronic device to get a detected environment information, a storage unit configured to store a preset environment threshold, and a display unit. The control unit is configured to compare the detected environment information with the preset environment threshold, determine a type of the working environment of the electronic device, and controls the display unit to adjust user interface or interaction mode of the electronic device, according to the type of the working environment of the electronic device. A method of adjusting a user interface of an electronic device is also provided.

FIELD

The subject matter herein generally relates to an electronic device anda method of adjusting user interface of the electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Display screens of electronic devices such as a mobile phone, personaldata assistants (PDAs), personal computers, game consoles and so on, aredeveloping towards big sizes. So, the electronic device generallyincludes a user interface with a big size.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by wayof example only, with reference to the attached figures.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an electronic device in accordance withan example of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of adjusting a user interface of theelectronic device in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among thedifferent figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Inaddition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide athorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, itwill be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that theembodiments described herein can be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have notbeen described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevantfeature being described. Also, the description is not to be consideredas limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawingsare not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts havebeen exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of thepresent disclosure.

Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now bepresented.

The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly orindirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarilylimited to physical connections. The connection can be such that theobjects are permanently connected or releasably connected. The term“comprising,” when utilized, means “including, but not necessarilylimited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion ormembership in the so-described combination, group, series and the like.

The present disclosure is described in relation to an electronic device.The electronic device can include a control unit, an environment sensorunit configured to detect working environment of the electronic deviceto get a detected environment information, a storage unit configured tostore a preset environment threshold, and a display unit. The controlunit is configured to compare the detected environment information withthe preset environment threshold, determine a type of the workingenvironment of the electronic device, and controls the display unit toadjust user interface or interaction mode of the electronic device,according to the type of the working environment of the electronicdevice.

The present disclosure is described further in relation to a method ofadjusting a user interface of an electronic device. The method caninclude: detecting a current working environment and a current workingstatus of the electronic device by a control unit, a fingerprint sensorunit and an environment sensor unit to get a detected environmentinformation and a detected working status; comparing the detectedenvironment information and/or the detected working status with a presetenvironment threshold and/or a preset status by a comparing unit todetermine a type of the current working environment and the currentworking status of the electronic device; and controlling a display unitto automatically adjust the user interface by the control unit,according to the type of the current working environment and the currentworking status of the electronic device.

FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic device 100 of an embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The electronic device 100 can include a control unit10, a storage unit 20, a fingerprint sensor unit 30, an environmentsensor unit 40 and a display unit 50.

The storage unit 20 can be configured to store a plurality of presetfingerprint information and environment thresholds. The fingerprintsensor unit 30 can be configured to detect a user's fingerprint to get adetected fingerprint. The control unit 10 can be configured to comparethe detected fingerprint with the predetermined fingerprint, and controlthe display unit 50 to change user interface basing on a comparedresult. The environment sensor unit 40 can be configured to detect aworking environment of the electronic device 100 to get a detectedenvironment information. The control unit 10 can further be configuredto compare the detected environment information with the presetenvironment threshold to determine the current working environment ofthe electronic device 100, and control the electronic device 100 tochange the user interface or interaction mode basing on the currentworking environment of the electronic device 100.

The control unit 10 can include a comparing unit 11, auser-interface-analyzing unit 12 and a detecting unit 13. The comparingunit 11 can be configured to compare the detected fingerprint with thepreset fingerprint stored in the storage unit 20, and compare thedetected environment information with the preset environment thresholdstored in the storage unit 20, to determine the current workingenvironment and status of the electronic device 100. Theuser-interface-analyzing unit 12 can be configured to determine the userinterface matching with the working environment and the status of theelectronic device 100, and transmit the user interface to the displayunit 50 to be displayed. The detecting unit 13 can be configured todetect the working environment of the electronic device 100 according tothe type of network access such as internet of things or internet ofcars or others. The control unit 10 controls the electronic device 100to adjust the user interface or interactive modes according to theworking environment.

In an example, when the detecting unit 13 detects that the electronicdevice 100 is coupled with the internet of cars, and determines that theelectronic device 100 is in a mode of In-Vehicle, the control unit 10controls the electronic device 100 to automatically amplify thehands-free button, and automatically broadcast the messages and thecaller ID. In another example, when the electronic device 100 ispositioned in darkness such as pocket or bag, the detecting unit 13detects the type of the internet of things such as intelligent homefurnishing internet of things to which the electronic device 100 access,and determines locations where the electronic device 100 locates, suchas a sitting room, the control unit 10 can control the electronic device100 to enhanced ring volume. In an alternative example, when theelectronic device 10 accesses the intelligent home furnishing internetof things, if the detecting unit 13 detects that the electronic device10 has built relationship with a TV, the control unit 10 will controlthe display unit 50 to output a simulation of remote controllerinterface, which makes the electronic device 10 control the TV. In anadditional example, when the electronic device 100 is in a place ofnoisy or light intensity changing dramatically, the detecting unit 13detects the type of the internet of things to which the electronicdevice 100 access, and determines locations where the electronic device100 locates, such as bars and dance halls. The control unit 10 cancontrol the electronic device 100 to automatically increase the displaybrightness, or open calls vibration and enlarge the sound volume.

Additionally, the detecting unit 13 can be configured to detect fulltime user's habits of using the electronic device 100, and record theworking environment of the electronic device 100 in a particular timeperiod, such as a period from 22 pm of every day to 6 am of the nextday. Thus, the electronic device 100 can build behavior patterns of theuser in a long term, thereby making humanized adjustment to the userinterface.

The comparing unit 11 can be configured to compare the detectedfingerprint from the fingerprint sensor unit 30 with the presetfingerprint stored in the storage unit 20, to determine the user'sidentity. The control unit 10 controls the electronic device 100 toautomatically show or hide programs or file paths related to personalprivacy, according to the user's identity. If the user is the owner ofthe electronic device 100, the electronic device 100 will automaticallyshow the programs or the file paths of personal privacy. If the user isa visitor, the electronic device 100 will automatically hide theprograms or the file paths of personal privacy. Simultaneously, thecontrol unit 10 controls the electronic device 100 to do personalizedranking for commonly used functions menus, according to the user'sidentity, to adapt to different operation customs of the users.

The comparing unit 11 can further be configured to determine the userholding the electronic device 100 with the right hand or the left hand,according to the detected fingerprint detected by fingerprint sensorunit 30, and determine a direction of the fingers relative to theelectronic device 100. The control unit 10 controls the display unit 50to automatically adjust the user interface according to which one of theright hand or the left hand holding the electronic device 100. In atleast one embodiment, when the comparing unit 11 determines that theright hand holds the electronic device 100, the control unit 10 controlsthe display unit 50 to reduce the dial or text input interface andadjust the dial or text input interface to the right part of the userinterface, which is convenient for the right hand to operate theelectronic device 100. When the comparing unit 11 determines that theleft hand holds the electronic device 100, the control unit 10 controlsthe display unit 50 to reduce the dial or text input interface andadjust the dial or text input interface to the left part of the userinterface, which is convenient for the left hand to operate theelectronic device 100. Simultaneously, the fingerprint sensor unit 30determines holding direction of the electronic device 100 according tothe detected fingerprints. When the electronic device 100 is in ahorizontal state, which results in an orientation sensor of theelectronic device 100 cannot work, the control unit 10 controls thedisplay unit 50 to automatically adjust an orientation of the userinterface of the electronic device 100 according to the holdingdirection of the electronic device 100. In at least one embodiment, theholding direction can includes a horizontal hold and a vertical hold,wherein, in the horizontal hold, the electronic device 100 issubstantially perpendicular to a forearm with the hand holding theelectronic device 100, in the vertical hold, the electronic device 100is substantially parallel to the forearm with the hand holding theelectronic device 100.

The environment sensor unit 40 can be configured to detect lightbrightness of the working environment of the electronic device 100. Thecontrol unit 10 controls the electronic device 100 to automaticallyenter different display modes, according to comparison results of thecurrent light brightness with the preset light brightness thresholdstored in the storage unit 20.

The environment sensor unit 40 can be further configured to detectmoving speed of the electronic device 100 in use to get a detectedmoving speed. The comparing unit 11 compares the detected moving speedwith a preset moving speed threshold stored in the storage unit 20. Whenthe detected moving speed is greater than the preset moving speedthreshold, the control unit 10 controls the display unit 50 toautomatically enlarge operation buttons and menus which may be used. Inan example, when the user is in walks or movement, the control unit 10controls the display unit 50 to enlarge the operation buttons and menus,when the user is driving, the control unit 10 controls the display unit50 to enlarge the hand-free button, to enhance operation accuracy forthe user in movement.

The environment sensor unit 40 can be further configured to detecttemperature and moisture of the working environment of the electronicdevice 100 to get a detected temperature and a detected moisture. Whenthe detected moisture of the working environment is greater than apreset moisture threshold, or/and the detected temperature of theworking environment is less than a preset temperature threshold, thecontrol unit 10 controls the display unit 50 to automatically enlargethe operation buttons and menus, and automatically adjusts sensitivityof the display unit 50 according to the detected moisture or/andtemperature.

The environment sensor unit 40 can be further configured to detect noiseof the working environment of the electronic device 100. When the noiseof the working environment is larger than a preset noise threshold, thecontrol unit 10 controls the electronic device 100 to automatically showtexts or pictures to assist voice projects of the electronic device 100,to increase recognition degrees in the noise.

The environment sensor unit 40 can be further configured to detect thatthe electronic device 100 is picked up from a placement by the righthand or the left hand of the user. When the environment sensor unit 40detects that the electronic device 100 is picked up from a left side ofthe electronic device 100, the environment sensor unit 40 determinesthat the electronic device 100 is hold by the left hand of the user.When the environment sensor unit 40 detects that the electronic device100 is picked up from a right side of the electronic device 100, theenvironment sensor unit 40 determines that the electronic device 100 ishold by the right hand of the user. The control unit 10 controls thedisplay unit 50 to automatically adjust the user interface according towhich hand of the user holding the electronic device 100. When theenvironment sensor unit 40 determines that the electronic device 100 isoperated by only one hand of the user, the control unit 10 controls thedisplay unit 50 to reduce the dial or text input interface and adjustthe dial or text input interface to the left part or the right part ofthe user interface, which is convenient for the left hand or the righthand to operate the electronic device 100.

The environment sensor unit 40 can be further configured to detectgender, health status, motion state, age of the user, the first timeusing the electronic device 100 or not for the user, eyes of the usergazing the electronic device 100 or not, interaction environment andstatus when the electronic device 100 is used with a wearable device.

Referring to FIG. 2, a flowchart is presented in accordance with anexample embodiment which is being thus illustrated. The example methodis provided by way of example, as there are a variety of ways to carryout the method. The method 200 described below can be carried out usingthe configurations illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, and variouselements of the figure are referenced in explaining the example method.Each block shown in FIG. 2 represents one or more processes, methods orsubroutines, carried out in the exemplary method. Additionally, theillustrated order of blocks is by example only and the order of theblocks can change according to the present disclosure. The exemplarymethod for adjusting user interface of an electronic device isillustrated in FIG. 2. The exemplary method can be executed at anelectronic device and begin at block 201.

At block 201, a current working environment and a current working statusof the electronic device is detected to get a detected environmentinformation and a detected working status. In at least an embodiment,the current working environment and the current working status of theelectronic device is detected by a control unit, a fingerprint sensorunit and an environment sensor unit. At this block, in detail, theenvironment sensor unit can be configured to detect light brightness ofthe current working environment of the electronic device. Theenvironment sensor unit can be further configured to detect moving speedof the electronic device. The environment sensor unit can be furtherconfigured to detect temperature and moisture of the current workingenvironment of the electronic device to get a detected temperature and adetected moisture. The environment sensor unit can be further configuredto detect noise of the current working environment of the electronicdevice. The environment sensor unit can be further configured to detectthat the electronic device is picked up from a placement by the righthand or the left hand of the user. The environment sensor unit can befurther configured to detect gender, health status, motion state, age ofthe user, the first time using the electronic device or not for theuser, eyes of the user gazing the electronic device or not, interactionenvironment and status when the electronic device is used with awearable device. The control unit can include a detecting unitconfigured to detect the current working environment of the electronicdevice according to the type of network access such as internet ofthings or internet of cars or others.

At block 202, the detected environment information and/or the detectedworking status are compared with a preset environment threshold and/or apreset status to determine a type of the current working environment andthe current working status of the electronic device. In at least anembodiment, the control unit can include a comparing unit comparing adetected user's fingerprint detected by the fingerprint sensor unit andthe environment information detected by the environment sensor unit withthe preset fingerprint and environment threshold stored in a storageunit, to determine a type of the current working environment and thecurrent working status of the electronic device.

At block 203, the electronic device is controlled to adjust the userinterface according to the type of the current working environmentand/or the current working status. In as least an embodiment, thecontrol unit controls a display unit of the electronic device toautomatically adjust the user interface, according to the type of thecurrent working environment and the current working status of theelectronic device. At this block, in detail, the control unit canfurther include a user-interface-analyzing unit. Theuser-interface-analyzing unit can be configured to determine the userinterface matching with the type of the current working environment andthe current working status of the electronic device, and transmit theuser interface to the display unit to be displayed.

The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Even thoughnumerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology havebeen set forth in the foregoing description, together with details ofthe structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure isillustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, including inmatters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within theprinciples of the present disclosure up to, and including, the fullextent established by the broad general meaning of the terms used in theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: a control unit;an environment sensor unit configured to detect working environment ofthe electronic device to get a detected environment information; astorage unit configured to store a preset environment threshold; and adisplay unit; wherein the control unit is configured to compare thedetected environment information with the preset environment threshold,determine a type of the working environment of the electronic device,and controls the display unit to adjust user interface or interactionmode of the electronic device, according to the type of the workingenvironment of the electronic device.
 2. The electronic device of claim1, wherein the control unit comprises a detecting unit, a comparing unitand a user-interface-analyzing unit, the detecting unit is configured todetect a working environment of the electronic device according to atype of network access of the electronic device to get another detectedenvironment information, the comparing unit is configured to compare thedetected working environment with the preset environment threshold todetermine the type of the working environment and status of theelectronic device, the user-interface-analyzing unit is configured todetermine the user interface matching with the type of workingenvironment and the status of the electronic device, and transmits theuser interface to the display unit to be displayed.
 3. The electronicdevice of claim 2, wherein the environment sensor unit is configured todetect light brightness of the working environment of the electronicdevice, the comparing unit compares a current light brightness of theworking environment from the environment sensor unit with a preset lightbrightness threshold, the control unit controls the electronic device toenter different display modes according to comparison results of thecurrent light brightness with the preset light brightness threshold. 4.The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the environment sensor unit isconfigured to detect moving speed of the electronic device in use, thecomparing unit compares the detected moving speed with a preset movingspeed threshold, when the detected moving speed is greater than thepreset moving speed threshold, the control unit controls the displayunit to enlarge operation buttons and menus.
 5. The electronic device ofclaim 2, wherein the environment sensor unit is configured to detecttemperature and moisture of the working environment of the electronicdevice to get detected temperature and detected moisture, when thecomparing unit compares the detected temperature and detected moistureof the working environment from the environment sensor unit with apreset moisture threshold, when the detected temperature or detectedmoisture of the working environment is greater or less than a presettemperature or the preset moisture threshold, the control unit controlsthe display unit to enlarge operation buttons and menus, and adjustssensitivity of the display unit according to the detected temperature ormoisture.
 6. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the environmentsensor unit is configured to detect noise of the working environment ofthe electronic device, the comparing unit compares a detected noise ofthe working environment from the environment sensor unit with a presetnoise threshold, when the detected noise of the working environment islarger than the preset noise threshold, the control unit controls theelectronic device to show texts or pictures to assist voice projects ofthe electronic device.
 7. The electronic device of claim 2, furthercomprising a fingerprint sensor unit, wherein the fingerprint sensorunit is configured to detect a user's fingerprint, the storage unit isfurther configured to store a plurality of preset fingerprints, thecomparing unit compares a detected user's fingerprint from thefingerprint sensor unit with a preset fingerprints stored in the storageunit, the control unit controls the display unit to adjust the userinterface.
 8. The electronic device of claim 7, wherein the control unitestimates a user's identity according to the detected fingerprint, andcontrols the electronic device to automatically show or hide programs orfile paths related to personal privacy according to the user's identity.9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the comparing unitdetermines holding states of right or left hand holding the electronicdevice and holding directions of the electronic device according to thedetected fingerprint from the fingerprint sensor unit, theuser-interface-analyzing unit determines the user interface matchingwith the holding states and the holding direction of the electronicdevice working environment and the state of the electronic device, andtransmits the user interface to the display unit to display.
 10. Amethod of adjusting a user interface of an electronic device, the methodcomprising: detecting a current working environment and a currentworking status of the electronic device by a control unit, a fingerprintsensor unit and an environment sensor unit to get a detected environmentinformation and a detected working status; comparing the detectedenvironment information and/or the detected working status with a presetenvironment threshold and/or a preset status by the control unit todetermine a type of the current working environment and the currentworking status of the electronic device; and controlling a display unitto automatically adjust the user interface by the control unit,according to the type of the current working environment and the currentworking status of the electronic device.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein the preset environment threshold and the preset status arestored in a storage unit.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein thecontrol unit comprises a comparing unit comparing the environmentinformation detected by the environment sensor unit and a detecteduser's fingerprint detected by the fingerprint sensor unit and with thepreset environment threshold and fingerprint stored in a storage unit,to determine the type of the current working environment and the currentworking status of the electronic device.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein the environment sensor unit is configured to detect lightbrightness of the current working environment of the electronic device,and the comparing unit compares a current light brightness of theworking environment from the environment sensor unit with a preset lightbrightness threshold stored in the storage unit.
 14. The method of claim12, wherein the environment sensor unit is configured to detect movingspeed of the electronic device in use, and the comparing unit comparesthe detected moving speed with a preset moving speed threshold stored inthe storage unit.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the environmentsensor unit is configured to detect temperature and moisture of thecurrent working environment of the electronic device, the comparing unitcompares a detected temperature and detected moisture from theenvironment sensor unit with a preset moisture threshold stored in thestorage unit.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the environment sensorunit is configured to detect noise of the current working environment ofthe electronic device, the comparing unit compares a detected noise ofthe working environment from the environment sensor unit with a presetnoise threshold stored in the storage unit.
 17. The method of claim 10,wherein the control unit comprises a user-interface-analyzing unitconfigured to determine the user interface matching with the type of thecurrent working environment and the current working status of theelectronic device.